FIT FRIDAY - DIY GREEN MACHINE SMOOTHIE

Sometimes, you just need a green smoothie, you know? I love making this this one because it's super good tasting and super good for you!

INGREDIENTS

2 large handfuls of your favorite greens. 

     FIT TIP- I personally love using just spinach because of it's mild taste, but hey, if you like the earthy taste of kale, go for it! 

1 banana, frozen

     FIT TIP- Or you can use 1/2 cup of frozen mixed berry mix if you have that on hand! 

1/4 tbsp of cinnamon

1 cup of almond milk or water

PROCESS

In a blender, add in your spinach, berries, cinnamon and finally your almond milk or water. You can also add ice if you want your drink a little more refreshing! Blend on high for a minute or two, pour into a glass and sprinkle a bit of cinnamon over the top for garnish. 

BENEFITS

In order for any of the ingredients to make their way into my smoothies, they have to be jam-packed with nutrients and healthful benefits. Here's the 411 on each of this smoothie's ingredients:

Spinach/Kale: Both spinach and kale are great sources of amino acids (protein), calcium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and iron. These greens help create and maintain beautiful skin and support a healthy immune system and strengthened body! Basically, these greens are all around super foods!

Blueberries- Blueberries are jam-packed with vitamin C and tons of fiber.

Bananas- Bananas are a good source of iron and potassium which helps with muscle strength, metabolism, and water balance. 

Almond milk- Almond milk is low in fat, but high in energy, proteins, and fiber. It contains vitamins like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. Woah baby!

Cinnamon- Cinnamon has anti-oxidant effects and also helps with bloating.

Do you like drinking green smoothies and juices? How do you like to stay healthy? And, what do you think of this new series? 

DISCLAIMER: I don't intend for this blog to, in any way, become a fitness blog, but a healthy lifestyle is one of the many things I enjoy living.

xoxo, 

Kianna Rose

FIT FRIDAY - MY 2016 FITNESS ROUTINE

It's Friday and I know how tempting it can be to give in and give up healthy eating on the weekend. Have no fear, Kianna Rose is here with a (hopefully!) regular series here on the blog titled "Fit Friday." Every other week (or every week? What do you think?), I'll share a tip of two on staying healthy, fit and totally fab... even when you're in college and staying up late doing homework and being tempted with pizza and quesadillas. Its a new year, so don't give up or give in!

Now, huge part of being fit and living a healthy lifestyle is establishing some sort of routine that is easy to follow and stick with. Last year, I began my fitness journey and over the course of the year, I experimented with different workouts and routines until I found a few that really worked for me. 

I try to workout 6 times a week, making Sunday my rest day. Monday-Wednesday I push hard and Thursday-Saturday, I take it a little slower. Here's what my weekly routine looks like:

MAIN WORKOUT:
Monday-Wednesday: 30 minute full body workout 

Thursday-Saturday: 15 minute full body workout

TARGET AREAS:
Monday: Abs

Tuesday: Abs

Wednesday: Abs

Thursday: Arms

Friday: Glutes

Saturday: Legs

For these target areas, I also like to follow along with a YouTube video from PopSugar Fitness or Blogilates. Both of these channels are AMAZING and wonderfully upbeat. These shorter workouts range from 5-15 minutes and are a perfect way to work out specific parts of your body. I also use Pinterest for workout inspiration! Check out my favorites!

Follow kianna's board F I T N E S S on Pinterest.

I used to be a member of a gym and think that I will renew my membership sometime this year. When I did go, and when I return, I like to use the elliptical as well as the stationary bike. These two machines give your legs a serious workout and if you're watching a video or listening to music, you won't even notice the burn... much. Oh, and the treadmill too!

Do you like to workout? Gym or at home? Any questions or suggestions for future posts?

xoxo, 

Kianna Rose

P.S. You have to try the Blogilates squat challenge!!!

(RE)LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST - 2016 RESOLUTIONS

Woah baby! A whole year has gone by... again! I can't hardly believe how quickly time is going by! 

I look at 2016 as a fresh start. Indeed, it'll be a year of uncertainty and unpredictability but that's the most exciting part! I look forward to all that God has in store for me! To think, by this time next year, my life could be completely different or entirely the same, and the exciting part is seeing what happens!

2   0   1   6 

This year, I hope to be intentional and slightly ambitious (compared to previous years)! Now, I don't plan to go over the top; actually, I have a few small areas that I'd like to improve upon and grow in.

(RE)TURN TO MY FIRST LOVE- To be completely honest, since starting school, I've slacked in my spiritual disciplines. This year, I strive to "repent and do the things [I] did at first" (Revelation 2:5). I strive to pray more, read the Bible more and grow in my relationship with Christ. A friend at school shared that his life goal is "God first, you second and me third" and that motto is something I hope to live by. I hope to live my life more for God and others and give more of myself to serving others!
Some things I'd like to implement are:

• Praying for at least 15 minutes before rushing off to school! 
• Daily Bible reading until I finish it in a year. 
• Invite a friend or two to church.

(RE)EMBRACE A HEALTHFUL LIFESTYLE- Last year, I gave up processed foods, refined sugars and excess sodium. Exercise was a huge part of my weekly routine; in fact, I worked out 5-6 times a week and was getting pretty toned if you ask me! Unfortunately, college life got in the way, formal papers and groups projects mounted up and at the end of it all, I was so OVER it... Cucina Liberta has the BEST Chai Tea Vanilla Latte in town and pizza with friends was a pretty usual thing. This year... starting on Monday, because it's January 3 and we're still celebrating, I'm re-embracing the lifestyle that was doing my body so much good!
Some things I'd like to implement are:

• No processed foods... al least during the week. Its going to be a slow transition back into responsible, health conscious eating :) 
• Drinking at least 80 ounces of water everyday. 
• Exercise at least 5 days a week. 

(RE)DISCOVER MY PASSIONS- I'm a go-getter. Naturally, I'm drawn to trying new things and becoming passionate about it if it is something I genuinely enjoy. With school, work and church, I find that "me time" is limited if not completely nonexistent! This year, I want to just take a break, take it slow and take out time to learn and experiment. I want to rediscover my passions and work toward improving.
Some things I'd like to implement are:

• Blogging at least once a week, collabing with other bloggers and working with more brands.
• Working on my photography + videography. Now, I don't intend to go pro, I just love playing around with my camera and editing softwares.
• Reading at least five books this year. These books can be both fiction or non-fiction. Any suggestions???

(RE)LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST- In it's expanded form, this resolution includes loosening up a bit, smiling a little more, loving freely, giving by grace, thinking good thoughts, persevering and pressing on, etc.. Basically EVERYTHING on my 2K16 pinterest board :)

               Follow kianna's board 2 K 1 6 on Pinterest.  

Do you make New Years Resolutions? And do you really stick with them?

What are your resolutions for this new year? 

xoxo,
Kianna Rose

FIVE WAYS TO JAZZ UP YOUR HOT CHOCOLATE

With winter practically upon us, I find myself craving a warm drink, and hot chocolate is usually the first thing that comes to mind! Of course, the *same old way* of preparing hot cocoa is perfectly fine and gets the job done, but sometimes, I want to indulge, you know? Here are my top five favorite ways to jazz up your next cup of cocoa!

 1// Use *real* milk chocolate. In no way am I shaming the beloved Swiss Miss packets that everyone knows and loves. You know, they've actually stepped up their game and now, make flavored hot chocolate. And, aren't those tiny, dehydrated marshmallows absolutely delicious, once they soften?!! Plus, yay that they're super easy and convenient! Once in a while though, its nice to go all out, even if just for a cup of cocoa! My suggestion: Use *real* milk chocolate. Sure, you'll have to boil your milk and patiently stir in your chocolate in, but trust me, it'll be worth it!

2// Or, change up your chocolate completely! Yes! Why not swap out regular milk chocolate for dark chocolate, white chocolate or even sea salt caramel?! You totally could do that!

3// Mix in cinnamon. I love cinnamon; something about it is just so cozy and comforting! You can add a dash (or two) of cinnamon in your hot cocoa to fancy-fy it a little bit!

4// Top with colored marshmallows. Okay, so I thought of this before I was certain that colored marshmallows were even a thing! Thankfully, they are and even though they don't really alter the taste of the hot echolocate, they're still pretty to look at! And picture how pretty your white hot chocolate would look with pastel colors running though it! Yes, please! 

5// NUTELLA. Yes, I went there! I love to add a heaping spoonful of Nutella to my hot chocolate and ladies (and gents?), it is DELICIOUS!

Do you like to jazz up your hot chocolate in any way? What is your favorite winter drink? Starbucks recommendations???

xoxo,
Kianna Rose

LIEBSTER AWARD + INSTAX LOVE 001

A few weeks ago, Hannah nominated me for The Liebster Award. For those of you (including myself!) who don't know what this award is, here's the 411 on who gets it and why: The Liebster Award is presented to bloggers with less than 200 followers as a way to welcome them into the blogging community give their little online space a cyber shout out. 

Here are the rules:

1. Link back to the blogger that nominated you- (Hannah)

2. Answer the 10/11 questions

3. Nominate other bloggers (however many or few as you'd like)

4. Create 10 new questions

5. Notify the new nominees of their award

1. Who is your favorite Disney Princess now and has it ever changed?

To be honest, I don't watch Disney movies and the ones I have watched, I hardly remember! I rely on my cousin, Alicia to refresh my memory on which princess did what and to straighten out which princess sang which song. For this reason, I'd probably pick Cinderella because I remember the most about her... 

2. How do you style your hair?

To style my hair, I usually put in a curl-freindly product like this or this and go from there. On most days, I'll pull my bangs back and do the half up-half down. On days when my curls have kind of lost their shape because of braiding my hair, I'll try for a bun or a Princess Di kind of look, with two twists in the front and a criss-cross of twists in the back.

3. What was your favorite childhood show or movie?

Ah! As a child, so many movies and television shows were on constant replay. Really, anything on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon would do!

4. Are you a visual, kinesthetic, or auditory learner?
Visual for sure!

5. What movie are you currently looking forward to watching?
Being that Christmas is just around the corner, I do look forward to watching my "Christmas classics." Elf and Home Alone are at the top of my list! Do you have any Christmas movie recommendations? I have a whole month off for winter break and an Amazon Prime membership! Let's do this!

6. What is the last item that you purchased?

The last thing I purchased was a pouch of Sour Patch... Really impressive, I know!

7. What has God said to you recently?
"Take a break!" If you're in college, you may have already come to the realization that it is completely different from high school, especially homeschool high school. Here, I have to meet REAL deadlines and grades are really important! The first few weeks of this semester left me feeling overwhelmed and a bit burned out. More than once, I've felt God's calming comfort quiet my fears and remind me to calm down. He promised not to give me more than I can bear, and so, I'm learning to trust Him with my college journey.

8. Do you like pineapples?

YES!!!

9. What song is on your head?
Lately, I've become quite the music lover. Right now, Lauren Daigle's O' Lord is on constant replay!

10. What is your favorite part about fall?
The leaves changing color and the crispness of the air, for sure! Plus, pumpkin flavored cream cheese gets me pretty excited!

11. What is the first thing that you think of when you wake up in the morning?
DID I FINISH MY HOMEWORK?!?! After figuring out the answer to that question, my thoughts drift into happier territory.

I nominate you! Yes, that's right! I'd love to learn more about you, so go ahead, answer the questions below! And, if you don't have a blog, feel free to answer the q's in the comments section!

1. When is your birthday?
2. What is your dream job?
3. Who was the last person you texted and what did you say?
4. Favorite Christmas carol/song?
5. How long have you been blogging? Why did you start?
6. What do you order at Starbucks?
7. What is your "life verse"?
8. What did you do for your last birthday?
9. Hot chocolate or coffee?
10. Biggest pet peeve?

On a side note: I'm thinking of starting mini series here on my blog where I share some of my latest (and greatest) Instax photos.

Would you like to see more instax shots?